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Killyclogher man McCann has been an established Red Hand for the past four seasons, but faces greater competition than ever before as talented newcomers make their mark.

Tyrone currently have a squad of 42 players, and up to a dozen will have to be let go ahead of the start of the NFL.

Big, mobile players like Brian Kennedy, Conan Grugan and the returning Kyle Coney have all impressed in the McKenna Cup, while Declan McClure and Padraig McNulty, along with All-Star Colm Cavanagh, continue to offer those talents McCann is also known for.

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“Any player that comes in and does well I’m really happy for them. If they deserve their spots then fair play to them,” said McCann.

“Obviously some of these players are my competition but it’s just about showing what I’m capable of.

“Kyle, Co Grugan, Brian Kennedy – they are similar players to myself but I’m happy they’re playing for Tyrone. We’re all going the one direction and if they can improve the team, I’m happy.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte

“These are the games where you get 70 minutes to show what you’re made of while maybe later on in the year they maybe wouldn’t be willing to risk a full game if there is relegation or promotion on the cards. It’s very hard to change a team going well.”

McCann put in a decent shift in the McKenna Cup semi-final win over Derry on Sunday, and he’s hoping to get more game-time in this week- end’s decider against Armagh.

“For a right lock of boys, including myself, these games are the most important we’ll play if we want to get game-time later on.

“Everyone is out to impress and Mickey obviously has a tough choice for the first League game picking the 26 never mind the 15 to start,

“It’s a good problem to have and it will set us up well going in the first League game with Kerry.”

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McCann expects a big test from Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh side in Saturday’s decider.

“They’re going to bring the same sort of thing that we faced against Derry.

“They beat Donegal and they did well in their group so they’re going to be a serious team. They have a lot of players back as well so it’s going to be a good test for us. Boys will get a good chance to show against maybe a tougher opponent. There’s nothing better than playing games.

“If we weren’t playing against Armagh next week we would be training really hard. The best learning you can get, especially with these new rules, is playing matches.”

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